Monday, 11 April 2011

A Lovely Meet-Up

On Friday, a friend from the Brainfog forum visited us with her parents and godmother – she is on holiday from the north of England for the weekend, and we agreed we simply must try and meet up while she was here. They arrived in time for lunch so we all went out together to our local pub and had a great lunch together, and then we took them all to Dartington Hall (my favourite place in the world, I think!).

The weather was perfect all weekend, which I was so pleased about, so that they could see Sunny Devon at its best! All the blossoms are out, and although not all the wild flowers are out yet, it was all looking gorgeous.

Here are some of the photos we took (a mixture of mine and my hubby’s).

On our way to Dartington, we were told at the little steam railway station that a train would be arriving shortly, so we waited for it, as Tab’s dad was really keen to see it. Not only that, but while we were waiting, a classic car drove up and he was able to enjoy that too! Here are the piccies my hubby took:

After this we went on to Dartington Hall and had a good wander round. We took them into the hall itself, and then went round the gardens which are so beautiful at this time of year.

Here we are all together (my hubby behind the camera):

and me with Tab with her mum and godmother:

and one of me on my own.

Here are some more pictures of the gardens. These yew trees are known as the Twelve Apostles, and they overlook the mediaeval tilt yard.

Now some pictures of the sculpture known as Jacob’s Pillow, with the tilt yard beyond.

Around the base of Jacob’s Pillow is some beautiful pavement made of small squares of stone set into the ground, which makes a gorgeous pattern.

I might make a texture overlay from this sometime.

There’s a very attractive curving path leading away from Jacob’s Pillow, below which is an equally attractive stone retaining wall.

More interesting textures to have fun with!

The blossom trees are looking beautiful, as are the flowers which are starting to appear everywhere.

At the further end of the tilt yard there is a flight of stone steps leading to the upper garden, at the top of which is a stone fountain in the shape of two swans. In the summer this is a blaze of colour, being the azalea garden.

Along the side of the tilt yard is a series of grass banks, which are covered with primroses at this time of year. There are now officious little signs telling people not to roll down these grass banks (health and safety or something!) but in the days when we were children, we were free to roll down them as much as we wanted and we never came to any harm, and neither was there any noticeable damage to the gardens! I must say every time I go, I still get the urge…

Tab and her family really enjoyed their outing to this lovely place. I am hoping that they will send their photos when they’ve got home and we’ve exchanged email addresses. One day I’ll post some of the other photos I’ve taken here over the years, including the inside of the magnificent restored mediaeval banqueting hall which is now a concert hall and function room, and some of the other gorgeous places on the site. There is a complex of craft and gift shops nearby and I’ve taken some photos there as well. We did not have the time or the energy to go there as well on Friday!

All in all, a really lovely day. It was just great to meet Tab for the first time after several years of sharing posts with the others on Brainfog. Down here in Devon I don’t get to meet up with many members – we are scattered all over the country (with a couple of members the other side of the world – one in California and the other in Australia!) so it’s always a great joy when I do get the opportunity. Thank you, Tab and family, for making it such a special day!

Beatrice and Phoebe

Humphrey, Winston and Edwina

Yum Sing

Free Downloads

I have created various backgrounds, texture overlays, templates and cut files, which are available on my Microsoft OneDrive album, which you are free to download and use. My only stipulation is that you do not use them for commercial gain and that if you mention my name and direct people to my blog, that would be good.

I have created all these files myself from my own drawings and photographs. Any resemblance to work created by others is purely coincidental.

I shall be adding to the list as time goes on, so keep your eyes open.

All the files I have designed and uploaded to my Skydrive are free to download, but if you would like to make a donation, please click the button above.If you would like to buy any of my art which I have specified as being for sale, please email me for details, and when you are happy, click the button above to pay, and the item will be sent to you.Thank you.

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Zentangle

What is Zentangle?

The Zentangle Method is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. It increases focus and creativity, provides artistic satisfaction, along with an increased sense of personal wellbeing. The Zentangle Method is enjoyed all over the world across a wide range of skills, interests and ages.

Sheba, my Wonderful Silver Bullet Cougar Cutting Machine

Powerful, accurate cutter/plotter for use with many media types from regular cardstock to vinyl. Cuts, embosses, engraves, print-and-cut, draws, etc. etc.The recently-launched Phoenix Silver Bullet is the generation on from the Cougar. Get your machine here:Thyme Graphics (UK)That's Scrap Inc (USA)Cutting Edge Craft (Australia)When you purchase your machine from these suppliers, you will get the best pre-and post-purchase advice and assistance, customer service second-to-none, and join a world-wide cutting community supporting existing Cougar and Lynx owners, Silver Bullet and Cameo owners.To read a review of the new Silver Bullet machine and some background, please go here.

Genuinely Heat-Proof Mats!

I am continually coming across people saying that non-stick craft mats are heatproof. OK, they don't melt if you heat them, but they offer absolutely no protection for what is underneath. Over the years I have warped quite a few self-healing cutting mats which were underneath my non-stick craft mat, either with a heat gun, or by placing my melt pot on top. Having got totally fed up with this I searched for a solution and found these amazing insulated mats which survive up to 1,000 deg. Centigrade, and I now do no heating without them. I place my non-stick craft mat on top, and have no more worries.